How this Legal Case of an Army Veteran Regarding the 1972 Londonderry Incident Concluded in Acquittal
January 30th, 1972 is remembered as among the deadliest – and momentous – days throughout multiple decades of conflict in this area.
In the streets where events unfolded – the memories of that fateful day are visible on the buildings and embedded in collective memory.
A civil rights march was conducted on a wintry, sunny day in the city.
The protest was opposing the practice of imprisonment without charges – detaining individuals without due process – which had been put in place following multiple years of unrest.
Military personnel from the specialized division killed multiple civilians in the neighborhood – which was, and remains, a strongly Irish nationalist population.
A particular photograph became particularly iconic.
Images showed a Catholic priest, the priest, waving a bloodied fabric in his effort to defend a group moving a youth, the fatally wounded individual, who had been fatally wounded.
Journalists captured extensive video on the day.
Documented accounts features Fr Daly informing a journalist that troops "appeared to fire in all directions" and he was "absolutely certain" that there was no provocation for the gunfire.
That version of what happened was disputed by the initial investigation.
The Widgery Tribunal found the military had been attacked first.
In the peace process, the administration commissioned a new investigation, after campaigning by family members, who said Widgery had been a whitewash.
During 2010, the conclusion by the investigation said that on balance, the military personnel had initiated shooting and that zero among the individuals had posed any threat.
At that time head of state, David Cameron, expressed regret in the House of Commons – stating fatalities were "without justification and inexcusable."
Law enforcement commenced investigate the events.
An ex-soldier, known as Soldier F, was brought to trial for killing.
Accusations were made concerning the fatalities of one victim, twenty-two, and 26-year-old another victim.
Soldier F was also accused of seeking to harm several people, other civilians, more people, an additional individual, and an unnamed civilian.
Remains a judicial decision preserving the veteran's identity protection, which his legal team have claimed is necessary because he is at danger.
He testified the examination that he had exclusively discharged his weapon at persons who were armed.
That claim was dismissed in the final report.
Evidence from the examination was unable to be used straightforwardly as testimony in the legal proceedings.
In court, the veteran was hidden from public behind a privacy screen.
He made statements for the first time in the proceedings at a hearing in late 2024, to respond "not guilty" when the allegations were presented.
Kin of those who were killed on the incident made the trip from Derry to Belfast Crown Court each day of the trial.
A family member, whose relative was killed, said they were aware that attending the trial would be emotional.
"I visualize the events in my recollection," John said, as we examined the primary sites referenced in the proceedings – from the street, where the victim was killed, to the nearby the area, where one victim and another victim were died.
"It even takes me back to my position that day.
"I helped to carry my brother and lay him in the ambulance.
"I relived each detail during the testimony.
"But even with enduring the process – it's still meaningful for me."